Turning gear for the headlights of vehicles



Jan. 6, 193L F.R. mETRlcH TURNING GEAR FOR THE HEADLIGHTS OF VEHICLES Filed Dec. 8, 192s 2 sheetksheet 1 F. R. DIETRICH 1,788,19() TURNING GEAR FOR THE HEADLIGHTS OF VEHICLES Jan. 6, 1931.

Filed Deo. 8, 1928 2 Sheets-Shoe?.V 2

HEAD

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, 25 nism against Water,

Patented `an. 6,

yFIEtIIElIlKfICIEI RICHARD DIETRICH, OF

Prisme, NEAR intuition,` GERMANY.

Application ie'a i'ieeemtere,Y i928,y serial Ne.

My invention relates to .infiprovcments` in turning gear foritheheadlights of vehicles in accordancey with the angular positions of the steering Wheels, and more 'particularly to al` mechanism for turning the headlights orthe" light beams issuing from them, of automol biles. y` n I I One object of m invention is to turn the n headlights `of vehicles, or their/beams, in such Aa manner, that 'the "road is vnot only lighted up When travellingstraight ahead, but also When negotiating curves inthe road.

A further object of my` invention'isto design the turning mechanism-for the" headi lights in such a manner, that it may easily be adapted to the various forms of chassis of automobiles. 'r :g A Another object of my' invention is to 'con struct' the turning mechanism in such a Way,

2o that parts liable to rapid Wear due to the constant vibrations ofthe vehicle, such as gear Wheels and the like. are eliminated.

A still further object of' my inventionvis tofprotect all sensitive parts of the mechadust and mud by enclosing them securely@ but so that thepleas ing appearance of the automobile does not suffer thereby. l l Y' Accordingrtomy invention the mechanism 'tor turning theheadlights or their beams is equipped With a member inserted between the steering mechanism of the vehicle and the parts of the headlight rotatably mounted on thebody of the vehicle, said` member being adapted toconvert the uniform turning speed ofthe steering apparatus or thesteering Wheels into a turning speed of the headlights, ivhich is quicker on the average and is retarded as the deflection increases.. Pref- 0 erably this transmission member operates so that the turning speed of the headlights within .the ira-nge of comparatively small angles of deflection is at least equal to double the turning speed of the steering Wheels. At comparatively large angles of deflection the turning speed ofv `the headlights decreases more and more, so thatleven comparatively large changes in the angular deflections ot' the 5o steering vWheels cause small dellections of the saeesaanli la Germenypneeember 23,1927.

headlights or ther beams ofliglit emitted by them. y y

It not necessary, that the entire headlight including'fits ho-using i participates ink they 'turning movement, but it is suflicient that the reflector with or Without thev sourceoflight is turned, or that mirrors or prisms located inV the pathoiijthe beam of 4`the headlight areV turned through corresponding angles.

According to a preferred embodiment of my invention the transmission member interposed between the steering mechanism of the vehicle and the movable headlight 'portions comprises a box or case mounted'onjthe body` oi" the vehicle, andv atleast one rotary mem ber, located in saidboX andthe shaft of which projects through a packing. in the Wallet` said box and carries, tor instance, a lever, which isconnecte'd With the steering lever of the steeringniechanism. Below the headlight-is 'p provided asecond box containing a further rotating'membenwhich is connected With the Y movable parts ofthe headlight. @The first and the second' box are tightly connected by at least one flexible conduit which maintains the change of siiape imparted to it, such asa copper tube. In this copper tube is located a lieXible power transmitting member,.siirli asy a Bowden Wire which transmits the motion of one movable or rotary member to the other.. By means'of this mechanism it is possible to adapt the turning mechanism of theheadlights to the various systems of chassis. All sensitive parts of the mechanism are furthermore pro'tectcdagainst Water and dirt by this enclosure. f my invention is illus- An embodiment of trated in the drawings affixed hereto and forming part of my specification.

In'the drawings Fig. 1, shows the complete assembly of the mechanism for turning the headlights of an automobile, l

2,' a diagram explaining the depend enc'eot' the deflection of the beam of theV headlight from the angular positions of thesteei'- ing Wheels,

Fig; 3, the headlight and the portion of the turning mechanism vconnected therewith in sectional side-elevation,

cev

l on the back of the box cover 12,

Fig. 4, the same partof the turning device in section along the line -AB of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5, shows the open casing of the head light operating gear box shown in Fig. 1 at 10 Y Y F ig. 6, shows thelever mechanism mounted Fig. ,7 shows the front of box' cover 12, Fig. 8, shows a section along line` 8&8 of

Fig. 7, and

Fig. 9, a preferred"construction of the flexible power transmitting means.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing Vit will be seen that on the chassis 1 ofthe automobile are monntec'l the steering wheel 2 on the steering column 3, theworm gear 4, the

worm shaft 5 and the steering arm 6. The

steering arm 6 is connected by means of the y connecting rod 7 with the steering mechanism 8 of the front wheels revolving upon the axle 9 butwhich are omitted in the drawings foir the salie of clearness;

yOn the chassis is also mountedfthe operating gear box 10` shown ,in 'detail and on a larger scalel in Figs. 5 to 8 of the drawings. The boi-:consists ofthe casingfportion 11 (shown open in Fig. 5) .attached to the chassis at the inside of the front mud guard 61 (Fig. 1) by the lugs 112, 113, the casing being closed by the detachable cover 12. `In this box are housed the movable arms 1,4, 15, 16. Arm 14 which, is located on the underside ofcover 12- (Fig. 7) but- -is shown in detail in Fig. 6, is keyed tothe shaft 17 whose inner end rests in a step bearing 18 atthe bottom of the box, the shaftA being journalled in and tightly passed ,through the cover 12 at 19. `Upon the outer end of the shaft 17 outside of cover 12 (Figs.17 and 8) is fixed the ring 20 provided with the radial bore 21. The ring 2O is embraced by the eye 22 of lever 23. This lever is (normally free toturn on ring 20, being guided by the flanges 24, 25, vflange 25 being held on the shaft 17 by means of the screw 26. The flange 24 is clamped between the shoulder 27 of this` shaft and the ring 20. l Y p Into a radial bore in the eye 22 of lever 23 'l isserewed a tubular stud v28, which at the inner'wall is'provided with a collar 29. In the tube 28 is slidingly disposed a bolt 30,

which is forced against the sha-ft 17 by the spring 31, resting at its otlierend against collar 29. Bolt 30 is fixed .to the end of the draw member 32 of the Bowden wire located in the flexible tube 33. This Bowden wire leads to a handle 34 within easy reach of the seated driver, (Fig. 1), so that when handle 34 is released, spring 31 is able to force bolt 30 A into bore 21 of ring 20, thereby coupling lever 23 to shaft 17.

As shown in Fig. 1, to lever 23 is linked at 35 an operating rod composed of two sections 36, 39,*which are joined .together by 'turnbuckles 38 so as to permit the adjust- :ment of the operating rod to the desired length. The section 39 of this rod is linked at 40to the steering arm 6 of the steering gear by which lever 23 of the headlight control mechanism is operated.

At the outer end of arm 14, as shown in Fig. 6, is rotatably journaled the slide block 42 guided in adove-tailed yslot 43 of an arm 15, mounted on the shaft 44, journalled in casing`11, and to `which is also keyed double armedilever 16. Shafts 17 and 44 are parallel to one another, and arms 14, 15 are mounted respectively on'these. shafts in such a manner that the pivotal pin 41 of b lock42 is located in the plane placed through the two shafts (which may be termed the neutral position) when the Ycar travels straightahead. rijhe distance of pin 41 from'the shaft 17, at least when travelling along a straight road` is greater than the distance from shaft 44. The purpose of this arrangement is to impart to arm 15 and shaft 44a greater angular Speed at small movements of arm 14 from neutral position, and a comparatively much smaller angular speed, when arm 14 has been turned and is moving at a'greater angular distance from its Aneutral position. Thus, at slight turning angles of the vehicle steering gear a large turning motion, and at large turning angles of the steering gear a small turning motion. is imparted to theheadlights by the transmitting :mechanism which will now be described.

The two arms of lever 16 are provided with radial slots 45, 46 which are engaged respectively by detents 47, 48 provided on slides 49, 50 which latterare Ouided in the tubular guides-51, 52 provided in and running transver'sely through box 11.

On box 11 are provided tubular studs" 53. 54, which are extensions of guides 51, 52 .and to whichare tightly joinedY the flexible pipes, such as copper pipes,-o5, 56 by means Vof nuts 57, 58. In these pipes slide the iiexible power transmitting means such as theBowden wires 88which will Abe fully described later with referenceto Fig. 9 of the drawings.

The pipes 55, 56 arefpassed through they mndguard 61 to the box 64 mounted rigidly on the supporting pillar'63 below the headlight 62, where they are tightly'connected to tubular studs of this box by means ofthe nuts 65. In box 64 is journaled the shaft 66 guided in tubular guides 75, 76 of the boxV 64 and .connected with the flexible power transmitting shafts 59, 60. On the inside of the Vcover 77 of the box ICC- .. sired shape, idle vresistance of the spring fore.

i l 1,788,19o

64 aremountedfthe studs "7 8, 791vwhich'servef as an abutmentl'for both vends 82, 88 of a coil spring 8l, disposed' on'shaft 66; Stud l 8O is mounted ony its detent' 68 sun'icient die tance from 'the shaft center, sothat it passes'A between fixed stnds"78,-`79.` Asia' conseque'n'ce',`r

8O passes in one or the other direcl when stud tion out of gages one 'ori alinement with. studs: 78, 79,"it fenabutting in alinement. kThis arran'gei'nent yis adyuste'd in such a manner, that when `thefthree'studs 78. 80, 79 are in alinement, the'beamv of light of the headlight is projected'straight ahead.

Gn the vheadlight 62 84, which by the connectingrodlSf is coupled with a-corresponding arm of'ltheseo ond headlight, not shown in the drawings.A

The flexible power transmitting means provided". between theboxes preferably constructed of ancore' .86, Fig. 9, of line wires,- mainly located in the direction of the'pull, which.l are reinforced by a cover-l ing layer of 'thickerwi res substantially placed' transversely to the. direction 'of the pull..` thisla-yer is'formed, by a helical' If desired va second layer f most wire helix `88 of the" operating niemvber is wound. By this desiL transmitting means the friction is reduced and the life extended. As the pipe 89 maintains its form after' bending it into the de- `'travel of 'the operating member is practically eliminated. y

My improved operating mechanism operates in the following manner L vVlfhentmning the' steering wheel 2 the steering arm 6 is mechanism. of the front `wheels is adjusted to the properjangular position. During the day the coupling pin 3() (Fig. 8) Vis pulled out of thek bore 21 ofthe ring 2O against'the 81 bymeahs of the handle 34 at thedash board as described beticipate in the swinging motion of the lever 28,L and the headlights 62 are kept pointing vstraight ahead by the spring 81, F1g..8 of

the drawings.

Then driving at night, handle 84 is re` leased and pin 30 is forced into the bore21 under the action of the spring 31. 4The lever 23 is thus coupled with thes'haft 17. Arm

` the other end of spring 81', the, end `of thespring not engaged by '-sti id'80,`A `against studs '78,'7 Thus' this.-

spring always tends to'V turn thefheadlight n into aposition in which: studs 78, 80,79 are#V is mounted the arm 11 and '64 'are' through the proper angular speed mechanism shown in 'scribed herembefore, the hea'dlights will be en of the power.

steering" wheels as abscissa. rocked yand the lever 23, besidesthe steering 1 'light beamjis on the The shaft 17 does therefore notpar v nowl isoperated byv shaft 17. Arm 14 rocks arm y15 in the mannerA described-and thls'farni inturn, throughrockmg shaft 44,

The motion of the slides is transmitted by @rocks double armed lever 16, which` displaces vthe slides' 49 and 5() in' opposite direction'.

the Bowden wires 59', 60 to the slides 73, 74,

inthe-headlight box 64, which slidesby means of pins 71, 72,*and through levert?, operate headlight shaft' 8h'. rlhe headlight bilis then swung" sidewaysL against there- Both headlights, follow the motion of sistance of the` spring 81.1V coupled together thus 1the steeri'ng'wheel 2.v Y f Due to a certain amountof lost motion, whichexists' Vbetweenfthe `individualconstituents 'of 'the operating Vmechanism and y owing'towtheholdmg power ofthe springA 81 itisy prevented,'that theh'eadlights vi' brate during-travel. vSince 'the double armed operating'y levers 16 and 67v of boxes 11 and 64 are operatedby their lengaging pins at' differentlrad-ial distancesffrom their-'shaft centerin Adifferent angular positions of the arms, 'Y Y it b'ecomesa simple* matterto V'design the yrelative dimensions fof the operating vele-` ments in the transmitting and receiving gear box, so Vthat thev headlights are range relatively to the steered wheels of the vehicle.` Through turned the interposition ofA the variable angular Fig. G andv Vde-V turned throu h larger angles at small enen C, D 2B lar? deflections Vofthe Vsteering gear, and

through smaller angles at large anguiar` deflectionslof the steering gear.' f

rlhe operating `mechanism is so constrr.' ted andadjusted that'the turning speed of the beam of light within the range/ofcompara tively small deflections hasapproxiniately doublethe value `of the turning speed of the steering `wheels', but .so that the speed 'of the headlight drops to a comparatively small value when the deflection increases.

1n Fig. 2 oflthe drawings the dependence of the deflection *of` the headlight is plotted as ordinate against 'the deflection vofthe If lthe design of the chassis of the auto-V mobile permits, the intermedi ate Vbox 10 may sometimesbe' omitted' and the members contained in 'this housing be accommodated in abox located below the headlight or belowy the connectingcoupling rods'. The 'flexible powertransmitting meansv may then Ybe dissteering peiised with and be replaced by rigid shafts,

levers and joints.-Y` Y f Various other-modifications and changes Vinayfbeniade without departing 4from the 1 spirit and the scope of the with the headlights,

the Bowden wire type disposed between` said transmitter and receiver for-positively transmitting the steering gear inotionin both directions to said receiver, -a variable motion f device disposed in series with said transmitter, said flexible element andsaid receiver, for

transmitting to said receiver relatively positivelylarger motions at small displacement angles ofthe steering gear, and relatively vsmaller motions d at large 1 gear displacement CI" l vflexible element, -said angles, and-atubular sheath surrounding said y sheath being moisture and dust proof connected to said ,receiver and transmitter casings;

2. Ina device for turning vehicle headlights in accordance with the vehicle steer- V`ing wheels, in combination a transmitter casing, a rocking shaft journalled thereinLa-nd being connected with the sprung portion of the steering gear, a receiver casing and a rocking shaft journalled therein and being c onnected to the headlight, an operating arm on eachof said rocking shafts andat least one flexible element of the Bowdenwire type connecting said operating arms for transmitting the steering gear motion to said head- -light, and avariable motion device disposed said transmitter rocking shaft and betweenV said steering gear for operating said rocking shaft in either direction from the straight forward neutral position of the steering gear through greatermotion angles when the steer- Y ing gear is displaceda small angle from the neutral position, and for operating said rocking shaft through smaller motion angles when the steering gear is displaced a large. angle from the neutral position, and a tubular sheath surrounding said iiexible element and being moisture'and dust, proof connected to said casings.

3. In a device for turning vehicle headlights in accordance with the vehicle steering wheels, in combination a transmitter casing, a rocking shaft journalled therein and being connectedV with the sprung portion of the steeringv gear, a receiver casing andi a. rocking shaft journalled therein and being connected to the headlight, an operating arm on each of" said' rocking shafts .and at least oiieiiexible element of the Bowden wire type connecting said operating arms for 'positively ltransmitting the steering gear motion to said headlight,

annotion receiver connected and a casing tightly en -x closing said receiver, a vflexible element Aof sheath surrounding greater motion angles when the steering gear is displaced-a,v small angle fromV the neutral position, and for, operating said rocking shaft through smaller motion angles when the steering gear is displaced a large angle from lthe neutral position, and a tubular sheath snrrounding said Hexible element and being moisture and dustproof connected to aid J casings, said sheath being liexibie but having sufficient stiffness to maintain the shape in which it has been bent.

'4. In a ldevice for turning vehicle headlights in accordance with the vehiclesteering Wheels, in combination a transmitter casing, i a rock-ing shaftjournalled thereinand being connected with the sprung portion of the steering gear, a receiver casing and aV rocking shaft journalled thereinand being connected to the headlight, an operating arm on each of said rocking shafts Yand at leastone flexible said operating arms lfor positively vtransniitting thesteering gear motion tov said headlight, and al variable motion device disposed between said transmit-ter rocking shaft and said steering gear for operatingjsaid rocking shaft in either direction from the straight forward neutral position of the steering through greater motion angleswhen the steering gear is displaced a small angle frein the element of the Bowden wire type connecting n l neutral position, and for operating said rocking shaft through smaller motion angles rwhen the steering gear is displaceda large angle from the neutral position, anda tubular said flexible element ai l dust proof connected to being moisture and said casings, said sheath being'flexible but Y having sufficient stiffness to `maintain the shape in which it has been bent, and .sti-aight guides for guiding the ends of said flexible Y element.

5. In a vdevice for turning vehicle 'head- ,lights in accordance with the vehicle steering wheels, in combination a transmitter casing, a rocking shaft journalled therein-and being connectedvwith 'the sprung portion of the steering gear, a'receiver Vcasing and a 'rockimT shaft lournalled'therein and beine' b ti connected to the headlight, an4 operating arm on each of said rocking shafts and at least one flexible element of the Bonden Wire type c connecting said operating arms fortransinitting the steering gear mot-ion to said headlight, and a variable motion devi-cc disposed between said transmitter rocking shaft and said steering gear for operatingl said rocking shaft in either direction from the straight forward neutral position of the steering gear through greater motion angles when the steering gear is displaced a small angle from the neutral-position, and for operating said rocking shaft through smaller motion angles `when the steering gear is displaced a large .angle from the neutral position, rand a tubularsheath surroundingsaid*flexible element. and being moisture and dust proof connected to said casings, said sheath being iiexibleflbut having sufficient stiffness to maintain the' shape in which it has been bent, and` a slide for each wire end in said casing to which the wireends are connected,` and' a connection i between each slide and the pertaining rocking arm in each casing for transmitting the `motion from the transmitter arm to thel re-` ceiver arm. y p

- y 6.1111 a device' for turning Vehicle headlights in accordance with the vehicle steer.- i ing wheels, in combination aitransmittercasing, a rocking shaft joiirnalled therein ,andl i .Y being connected with the ,sprung portionof the steering gear, a receiver casing anda rocking shaftjournalled Vtherein and being connectedl to the headlight,.an operating arm on each of said rocking shafts' and atleast-f one flexible element of the Bowden wire type connecting said operating armsforpositively transmitting the'y steering gear motion to v said headlightfandfa variable motion deviceV disposed between. said Ytransmitter Yrocking '30 shaft and saidvsteeringgear and consisting of a crank arm having a shaft spacedy apart from and in parallel to said transmitter rocking shaft and *being connected to and oper?` ated by the `steering gear, and a crank arm fixed to .said transmitter rocking shaft and Y having a longitudinal slide pivotally attached to the end of said first-mentioned crank arm, whereby said first crank arm rocks *Y said second crank arm in either direction', from a central nentralposition of alineinent between the two arms, `,through great motion angles when the steering gear is displaced -a small angle frointhe straight forward neui tral position, and through small motion angles when` the steering gear is displaced a large angle from neutral position.y i In testimony whereof affix my signature. Y y :FREDRICH RICHARD DlETRlCH. 

